tomato

The goals of study were to recognize the effect of Kiwi on physiology and growth parameters in tomato infected with broomraps.  

In this study the effect of kiwi (0, 50% and 100%) in three times (20, 25 and 30 days) on growth parameters, antioxidant enzymes activities catalase and ascorbat peroxidase, protein, phenol and anthocyanin content were studied. This study was designed in randomized complete design with four replications.  

The results showed that kiwi in 30 days increased shoot fresh weight shoot dry weight, leaf area, root length, leaf and root protein content, leaf catalase enzyme activity, phenol and anthocyanin content and reducedbroomrapenumber and biomass of broomrape and rootcatalase and root peroxidase enzyme activity.  Kiwi treatments had no effect on shoot length and leaf peroxidase enzyme activity.  

Broomrapes without chlorophyll and parasites of root of plant are one of the abiotic stresses that limit plant growth and crop production such as tomato. As a result kiwi treatment inhibited pectin methyl esterase and reduced growth of broomrape.

One of the more challenging aspects of sustainable farming is the development of an appropriate fertility management. Soil management in  sustainable  agriculture  improves  the  soil  fertility  supplying  with  composted  materials. In a sustainable agriculture, compost is used to maintain and improve fertility.Compost is a soil amendment produced through the metabolism of an organic substrate by aerobic microorganisms under controlled conditions. Composting is an ancient agricultural technology going back to biblical times that still has an important application in modern agriculture. Compost supply a primary source of nutrients for the crops, as well as prepare a supplementary nitrogen source that compliments fertilizer nitrogen to provide a more sustainable farming system. Additionally, it is rich in the microorganisms that recycle organic matter.  Compost also boosts the plant and soil enhancing activity of soil life.Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) belongs to the family Solanaceae and is a popular grown vegetable which ranks third of worldwide vegetable production. It is used as an ingredient in many recipes, sauces, salads and drinks. Tomato fruit has much nutritional value comparatively low prices than other vegetables. It was also reported that tomato is an important source of nutrient and antioxidant such as lycopene and vitamin C.The objectives of this study were to evaluate different compost types and rates on growth, yield and total uptake nitrogen of tomato.

An experiment was performed as factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during growing season of 2014-2015. Considered factors were cow manure, household compost, spent mushroom compost and vermicompost with three levels of low (3 t.ha-1 for vermicompost and 10 t.ha-1 for other manures), medium (6 t.ha-1 for vermicompost and 20 t.ha-1 for other manures), and high (9 t.ha-1 for vermicompost and 30 t.ha-1 for other manures), and two application methods (row and broad). Uptake N was measured by using Kjeldahl.The treatments were run as an analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine if significant differences existed among treatments means. Multiple comparison tests were conducted for significant effects using the LSD test.

The results showed that there were substantial differences among treatments for yield, dry matter and total nitrogen uptake between various manures. Difference between treatments for total yield production was significant for the level of manure application and the method of manure application. In common with other field experiments, we observed significant improve in yield where composts have been applied to field crops. This experiment showed there is no significant different for total yield production and total nitrogen uptake between different composts but, household compost produced less dry matter. The highest and the lowest final yield were related to cow manure and vermicompost with 102.82 and 89.08 t.ha-1, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum and the minimum uptake N were observed in cow manure and Household compost with 123.2 and 82.04 kg N ha-1, respectively.

Compost types and rates had remarkable efficacy on growth, yield and total uptake nitrogen of tomato. The results showed  the  marketable  yields  for  tomato  crops  which clearly display  the  beneficial effect of compost types and levels usage. By increasing soil organic matter, compost can enhance the soil’s capacity to hold water and nutrients, and such changes can dramatically affect the yield of non-irrigated crops. Compost  in  sustainable  tomato  crop  production  in  specific  and  in  general  plays an important  role in agro-ecosystem  management. As a matter of fact, Compost can be used instead of other chemical fertilizers to improve the tomato crop production.

This research 38324 was funded by Vice Chancellor for Research of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, which is hereby acknowledged.

Water shortage is one of the most important limiting factors for plant growth around the world. To cope with this phenomenon, several solutions have been proposed, including the use of microorganism with plant growth promoting traits such as Trichoderma. Accordingly, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of three fungal species on tomato growth factors, as well as nutrients uptake by the plant in water deficit stress conditions in a factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design. Treatments including T1 (Trichoderma longibrachiatum KH), T2 (T. longibrachiatum MA), T3 (T. harzianum), NT1 (negative control - without fungi) and NT2 (positive control – without fungi and with chemical fertilizer) at three moisture levels consist of W0 (none stress), W1 (medium stress) and W2 (severe stress), performed in three replications. The results indicated that dry weight of shoot and root and nutrients’ uptake decreased in all treatments as water stress increased, but this reduction was significantly lower in fungal treatments. Under none stress condition (W0), T1 and T2 treatments increased N and P absorption and T3 fungal treatments increased Fe and Zn absorption significantly. By increasing stress conditions, most of the measured parameters of the plant in fungal treatments were reduced except for T1 treatment. Under severe stress condition (W2), T1 enhanced dry weight (32.8%), N uptake (62.7%), P (34.78%), Fe (39.3%) and Zn (47.6%), compared to negative control.

Deficit irrigation is an optimized solution in which the plants are deliberately allowed to reduce their crop by receiving less water than needed. Combined cultivation is a sustainable and efficient system that can increase water use efficiency by increasing the productivity of soil and water resources. In this regard, a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with two factors in three replications was carried out. The first factor was three types of cultivars: Monoculture tomato, Monoculture basil and intercropping of 50% tomato and 50% basil, and the second factor was four irrigation periods including irrigation without water stress in the root zone 0.8FC irrigation when the soil moisture in the root zone was about 0.7FC, 0.5FC, 0.3FC. The results showed that the highest water use efficiency based on dry matter yield was obtained, in intercropping at moisture level of 0.5FC. The highest dry matter yield and storability of tomato plant were obtained in intercropps and the highest dry and wet matter yield of the basil plant were obtained in monoculture. The Land equivalent ratioat all levels of moisture was greater than 1, the highest (LER = 2.1) was obtained at a non-stressed levels. Intercropping and irrigation up to 0.5FC level for two basil and tomato plants in addition to having the proper yield, has been able to prevent large amounts of water from being wasted.

In order to investigate the effect of irrigation intervals on yield, water use efficiency and yield components of tomatoes, a field experiment was carried out during 2015 and 2016 growing seasons in experimental farm in Jiroft. The treatments were laid out as split plot based on Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The treatments were comprised of three cultivars of tomato (Norat Falkato and Titauo) in main plot and sub plot consisted of three irrigation levels (10±2, 15±2 and 20±2 mm evaporation for class A pan). The results showed that in comparison to 10 and 15 mm evaporation for class A pan, parsimony of water usage equal 970 m3.ha-1 achieved. Moreover yield, height of plants, number of fruits per plant, weight and diameter of fruit decreased 7.4, 8.6, 2.8, 7.2 and 9.5 percent, respectively, But water use efficiency increased 12.4 percent. On the other hand studied parameters of Falkato variety was better than the other cultivars. Also, planting Falkato variety and 15 mm evaporation for class A pan was in the best position in terms of water use efficiency. In order to increase water productivity and optimal use of water resources, it is suggested cultivation Falkato variety with 40 irrigation, at 4 days interval and 100 cubic meters of water in of greenhouse condition.
In order to investigate the effect of irrigation intervals on yield, water use efficiency and yield components of tomatoes, a field experiment was carried out during 2015 and 2016 growing seasons in experimental farm in Jiroft. The treatments were laid out as split plot based on Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The treatments were comprised of three cultivars of tomato (Norat Falkato and Titauo) in main plot and sub plot consisted of three irrigation levels (10±2, 15±2 and 20±2 mm evaporation for class A pan). The results showed that in comparison to 10 and 15 mm evaporation for class A pan, parsimony of water usage equal 970 m3.ha-1 achieved. Moreover yield, height of plants, number of fruits per plant, weight and diameter of fruit decreased 7.4, 8.6, 2.8, 7.2 and 9.5 percent, respectively, But water use efficiency increased 12.4 percent. On the other hand studied parameters of Falkato variety was better than the other cultivars. Also, planting Falkato variety and 15 mm evaporation for class A pan was in the best position in terms of water use efficiency. In order to increase water productivity and optimal use of water resources, it is suggested cultivation Falkato variety with 40 irrigation, at 4 days interval and 100 cubic meters of water in of greenhouse condition.

Potassium is an essential macronutrient for plants that plays many important roles in the plant growth and development as well as in the quality of crops. In this study the effect of five bacterial strains belong to Pseudomonas genus including S6-6, S10-3, S14-3, S19-1 and S21-1 were assessed on the growth and K uptake by tomato plant in the non-sterile soil with low available potassium (less than 200 mg.kg-1). The experiment was conducted factorial based on CRD with three replications. The first factor consisted of bacterial inoculum (5 strains and control) and the second factor consisted of three levels of potassium fertilizer, 0 kg.ha-1, 50% (150 kg.ha-1) and 100% of the recommended amount (300 kg.ha-1), respectively. The results showed that maximum amount of wet and dry weight was gained at 50% of K fertilizer, while with application of K (300 kg.ha-1) fertilizer it was decreased. The main effects of bacteria were significant on yield, chlorophyll index, content of K, the concentration of P, Fe, Zn, Mg and Ca. The highest amount of wet and dry weight of shoot was obtained with S6-6 (54.76 g.pot-1 and 7.76 g.pot-1). The highest amount of root dry weight was measured with S14-3 (1.2 g.pot-1), S19-1 (1.17 g.pot-1) and S21-1 (1.16 g.pot-1). From the nutritional view of point two isolates, S21-1 and S14-3 were better than the other isolates. The highest concentration of shoot P, Fe and concentration of root Mg and P belonged to the S21-1. The highest concentration of shoot Mg and P was by the S14-3. All the bacterial strains at 50% level of K fertilizer (150 kg.ha-1) had better yield and maximum wet and dry weight of shoot was measured with strain S6-6 (62.066 g.pot-1 and 9.203 g.pot-1) at 150 kg.ha-1 level of K fertilizer.

Tomato is an important medicinal and nutritional plant. In this study tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)seedlings were cultured in MS medium containing 0, 60 and 120 mM NaCl under 0,6 and 16 mg/ L beta carotene treatment as a non enzymatic anti oxidant in tissue culture conditions. After 3 weeks, the effect of beta carotene on fresh and dry weight, Na K content, the length and the number of the roots and proline content were measured. Adding beta carotene to the culture medium containing salt resulted in the significant increase in the fresh and dry weight and the length and the number of roots. It also reduced a proline and the ratio of K/Na significantly. Betacarotene could mprove the salt tolerence of tomato by increasing of the root growth. it can be sugsted that application of beta caroten might be used for increasing of salt stress in tomato and possibly other useful plants.

Cover crops are an effective tool in the non- chemical weed management in sustainable agriculture. In order to evaluate the effect of type and time planting of cover crops on weed control in tomato، a factorial experiment was established using a randomized complete block design with three replications at 2013 on personal farm located about 65 kilometers from Shiraz province. The factors were included the type of cover crop at four levels (rye، red clover، rapeseed and control (no mulch)) and time of planting in three levels (one month before tomato transplanting، at the same time and one month after transplanting). The results showed that the type and time of planting of cover crops had a significant effect on the weed density and weed dry weight and tomato yield. Planting cover crops decreased weed density up to 35% and the weed dry weight of 67% compared with control. Also، cover crops reduced density of Convolvulus arvensis، Portulaca oleraceae and Echinochloa crus-galli as 8، 4 and 6 times compared with control. Tomato yield increased 60/42% with cover crop. The results showed that cover crops are appropriate tool for weed management in sustainable agricultural systems and can be used in integrated weed management.

Present study was conducted to introduce an efficient، safe and cost-effective method to control plant parasitic nematodes، especially Root-knot nematodes. In this regard، the allelopathic and nematodicidal effects of Capparis spinosa aqueous extract were evaluated in vitro and greenhouse condition by using cucumber and tomato as test plants. Experiments were conducted in three parts. In the first part the inhibitory effects of C. spinosa extract on growth of cucumber and tomato was investigated. In the second and third parts the nematodicidal effect of the extracts were studied in petri dishes and greenhouse conditions، respectively. Results obtained by first experiment indicated that the most plant parameters of test plants negatively and significantly affected upon treated by different concentration of extract when compared to control، whereas degree of inhibition increased with increasing extract concentrations. Results from second experiment showed that in all C. spinosa extract concentrations tested in Petri dishes، 100 percent of Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica) were killed. On the other hand، saprophyte nematodes (Rhabditis sp.) were less affected by extracts. Upon application C. spinosa extract in soil، nematodicidal effect of extract decreased when compared to Petri dishes conditions. According to results obtained from pot experiment، Root-knot nematodes population in soil significantly decreased after treating with extract and subsequently both cucumber and tomato plants performed better. However، the higher level of improvement was observed in cucumber as compared to tomato. This result regarding to greater inhibitory effect of extract on tomato than cucumber is expected. Overall، results confirm nematodicidal property of C. spinosa extract.

Tomato crown and root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, is one of the most important disease of this crop. The disease control is mainly achieved by the use of resistant cultivars and crop rotation. Biological control is considered as a potential alternative strategy for disease management. In present study, resistance of common tomato cultivars namely Ergon, Daehnfild, Clause grown in green houses in East Aazrabayjan province were evaluated. For this purpose, three Fusarium isolates including two reference isolates (F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici and F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) and a highly virulent local isolate of F. oxysporum were used. Resistance of cultivars was assessed based on different factors such as disease percentage, wet and dry weight of foliage, wet and dry weight of roots and the height of each plant. Based on our results, Daehnfild showed highest degree of susceptibility and F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici showed the highest degree of pathogenicity. Biological control of disease was evaluated by using the most virulent isolate of Fusarium and the most susceptible tomato cultivar. Two isolates of Trichoderma harzianu (Strain T22 isolated from TRIANUM-P and the second was obtained from Iranian Institute of Plant Protection)and single strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens (CHAO) were evaluated for antagonistic potential against causal fungus of this disease in laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Our results based on laboratory experiments showed that T.harzianum recovered from commercial biological control product (TRIANUM-P), together with P. fluorescens (CHAO) showed the highest degree of control in compare with control. But the greenhouse experiments revealed that the second isolate of T. harzianum showed the highest degree of control in compare with control.